#48207
May 20th, 2007 at 04:25 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
Well I did say the other day that I was looking for a place to put the chocolate mint outside since it was outgrowing it's pot. So today I noticed that something had stepped on 1 1/2 of my tomato plants and they had died. So I took that two feet of space and planted my chocolate mint there. And it took up the entire 2 feet lol. Now as it grows I'll just prune it to go up the hill and with luck I'll have a bunch of chocolate mint come this fall. At least that is my hope.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,476 Likes: 61
Northern Star
|
Northern Star
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,476 Likes: 61 |
I've heard that chocolate mint is invasive. Is it really?
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31
Patriot
|
Patriot
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31 |
Tamara, I think it is invasive. I think all the mints like to take over.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31
Patriot
|
Patriot
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31 |
Tk, does it need full sun? You sent me some a while back that I haven't planted yet. One more ?. Will it return next year?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
Well it's the blind leading the blind here folks. But I'll tell you what I've read and observed so far ok? One, chocolate mint does not breed true from seed. That means that if you plant yours Bestofour I have no idea what you will get. Not that, that is necessarially a bad thing. You might get something even better. Two, mints will grow in full sun or part shade but may taste better if grown where some shade is available. Three, they like lots of water and the soil should be loose. That way as the stems loose their leaves and the little branches grow they can attachment themselves to the soil and the plant can do it's invasive thing. Since my soil is more like hard pack unless I cultivate it I didn't have any problems with it being invasive last year. it's little rootless couldn't dig into the soil. I don't believe it dies back so you should have it all year around once it comes up. But I could be wrong. I overwintered mine inside which is why it is so big right now. After it gets situated in its new area and digs in good if you would like I'll dig some up and send it to you this fall. But you will have to remind me. My memory is not very good.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,476 Likes: 61
Northern Star
|
Northern Star
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 30,476 Likes: 61 |
I've also heard that fertilizer weakens the taste, wonder if it's true.
~~Tam~ You can bury all your troubles by digging in the dirt.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,847
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,847 |
yes its invasive.I pull seedlings up almost daily or every 3 days for my nephews iguana Tabby (she actually likes what I send her better than what she eats from grocery)It dies back in the garden in winter(And mines mild)but will faithfully return yearly.and elsewhere as well.I've composted enough of it....that somes growing around the compost pile too.It smells good when you mow over it.It can grow in full sun,but does better with some shade or morning sun afternoon shade.This year i'm clipping the flowerheads....so will not reseed.That reseeding durring hurricane Rita has got me more than enough plants for a nursery.
I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31
Patriot
|
Patriot
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31 |
do you guys actually cook with it?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
I plan to make chocolate mint jelly this year if it gets big enough. My recipe calls for two packed cups of leaves. Is that what you mean?
I'm also thinking about doing a cherry pie and adding it in with the filling finely minced. To add a fresh flavor to the cherry.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 37,027 Likes: 9
California Queen
|
California Queen
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 37,027 Likes: 9 |
Yes it even dies back in mild southern California winters. I can come true from seed if it is not cross pollinated with other mints. And it is very invasive given the opportunity. I have never really cooked with it but it makes a nice flavored sprig in cocoa or coffee.
~Tina Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
I added it to our melon fruit baskets as a garnish, that we had for Jennifers baby shower.
My Pineapple mint is actually doing better than the chocolate mint this year so far. And it was very sickly last year and this winter. I thought a couple of times that I had lost it completely.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31
Patriot
|
Patriot
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31 |
Yes, TK, that's what I meant. I've never known anyone to actually use it. I have some you sent but I haven't planted it. Did you say it does well in a pot? I've got enough invasive stuff without adding any.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
It did fine in a pot for me. But I think you will have better luck if you keep it pruned. I kind of let mine run wild and it looked very messy before I put it outside.
Try for a pot that is shallow and wide or like a window box. Somewhere it can spread a little.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31
Patriot
|
Patriot
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31 |
Thanks. I've been wanting a window box.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31
Patriot
|
Patriot
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 18,744 Likes: 31 |
You'll never believe this. I didn't pick up any window boxes so I went ahead and put out the choco mint seeds. Then today Johnny came home with 2 window boxes. Oh well.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160
Official Taste Tester
|
OP
Official Taste Tester
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,160 |
They aren't that hard to transplant if you decide you want them in the window boxes later. In the mean while there are lots of other pretty plants you may want to put in them.
|
|
|
Forums65
Topics14,312
Posts240,875
Average Daily Posts3
|
Members16,007
Most Online10,356 Nov 2nd, 2019
|
|
|
|